MLB Player News

Votto went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in Monday's 7-3 win over the Twins.

Votto added insurance with a two-run single in the seventh inning that made it a 7-2 game. The two runs knocked in leave him with 37 RBI over 57 games. The 40-year-old is 6-for-22 (.273) with a home run, a double, four RBI and four runs scored over six games since returning from a shoulder injury.

Freeman went 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored in Monday's 8-3 win over the Tigers.

Freeman's steal was his 20th of the season, the first time he's reached that milestone in his career. The 34-year-old first baseman clearly isn't letting up for his effort level even with the Dodgers securing the NL West title. He's been strong in September, hitting .304 (17-for-56) this month, down from his .335 mark for the year. He's added a .983 OPS, 26 home runs, 93 RBI and 124 runs scored through 148 contests. Freeman sat out Sunday for the first time all season, though he may get some additional rest over the remaining two weeks before the playoffs.

Cooper went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Monday's 11-9 win over the Rockies.

Cooper had struggled recently, going 1-for-13 over his previous seven games, though he had four walks in that span. His second-inning blast got the Padres on the board in this contest. The first baseman has a career-high 16 homers while adding 59 RBI, 40 runs scored, 17 doubles, a triple and a .252/.301/.421 slash line through 115 games between San Diego and Miami this season.

Steer went 3-for-4 with a double, one RBI and one run scored in Monday's 7-3 victory over the Twins.

Steer laced a double off Joe Ryan in the fourth inning for his 32nd of the year. He later added an RBI-single off Dallas Keuchel in the seventh inning for his third hit in the contest. Steer is looking to close out the year on a strong note and is now batting .278 with four homers, 10 RBI and eight runs over 61 at-bats in September. The 25-year-old is slashing .269/.358/.457 over 147 games amidst a breakout season.

Torkelson is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Dodgers.

Torkelson has started every game since the All-Star break and has not had a day off since June 28, but both streaks will come to an end Monday. Tyler Nevin will get the start at first base in Torkelson's place.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Monday that Mountcastle (shoulder) is not a candidate to be placed on the injured list, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Mountcastle will not start Monday for the fifth time in as many games, and he is still feeling soreness in his injured shoulder. However, he is showing improvement and remains day-to-day for the time being.

Casas (shoulder) is unlikely to be activated from the 10-day injured list before the end of the season, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Casas is still undergoing tests on his injured right shoulder, but with the Red Sox out of the playoff hunt, the team isn't incentivized to rush him back. The 23-year-old first baseman established himself as a core piece of the Red Sox's long-term plans after finishing his first full season in the big leagues with a .263 batting average, 24 home runs, 65 RBI and 66 runs in 132 games. Justin Turner and Bobby Dalbec are likely to share work at first base the rest of the way while Casas is on the shelf.

Mountcastle (shoulder) is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.

Mountcastle's injury will prevent him from starting a fifth straight game. He remains on the active roster for the time being, but it remains to be seen when he will return to the field.

Encarnacion-Strand is not in the lineup for Monday's game versus the Twins.

Encarnacion-Strand has hit home runs in both of his last two games, but those are the only two starts he's made in the Reds' past five contests, as his playing time versus righties has been lagging since Joey Votto returned from the injured list. Votto will pick up the start at first base Monday.

Porter will start at catcher and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Guardians.

Porter will receive his second straight turn behind the dish and could operate as the Royals' primary backstop for at least the next week after Kansas City placed Salvador Perez (concussion) on the 7-day injured list and transferred Freddy Fermin (finger) to the 60-day IL on Monday. Since getting called up from Triple-A Omaha on Sept. 11, Porter has started his big-league career on a high note, going 4-for-10 with a home run and a double.